CLEVELAND — The Republican presidential candidates on stage here at the Quicken Loans Arena Thursday night will be treated the same way LeBron James is when they run out of time — with the piercing buzz of an NBA shot clock.
Using the jarring blare of the shot clock is unique departure from the usual boring bell sound, used to notify candidates that they’ve exhausted their speaking time.
The New York Times reports that the Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier came up with the idea over a beer Tuesday.
“You could make it about synergy in that arena,” Baier told the Times. “Use the very same buzzer that LeBron James hears on the court when the shot clock runs out.”
Baier is moderating Fox’s primetime debate alongside colleagues Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace.
The candidates got a taste of the buzzer early Thursday as they each came on stage for mic checks.